Method and apparatus for removing a closure from an opening in a drum lid

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for removing a closure from a center-fill drum opening. The apparatus includes a clamping mechanism and a load transfer assembly coupled to the clamping mechanism and including a drive element engageable with the closure and movable relative to the clamping mechanism to force the closure inwardly of the drum. The assembly is arranged so that the element is eccentric with respect to the opening.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing aclosure from an opening in a drum lid particularly, but not exclusively,a closure used to seal a “centre-fill” opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a drum with a relatively large “centre-fill”opening formed centrally of a lid of the drum. The size of the openingallows for rapid filling of the drum and the central positioningprovides for ready alignment of the opening with a suitable nozzle for afilling process. After filling the drum, a dish-like closure is fittedin the opening and swaged under the lid. The swaging is effective indrawing a peripheral lip of the closure down into sealing engagementwith a corresponding shaped lip of the opening. Previously, such a sealwas considered permanent. The contents of the drum were removed and,possibly refilled, using smaller peripheral openings formed in the drum.

It is an object of the invention to reuse a centre-fill drum by removingthe closure from the centre opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided an apparatus forremoving a closure from an opening in a drum, including a clampingmechanism for securing the apparatus to the drum;

a load transfer assembly coupled to the clamping mechanism and includinga drive element engageable with the closure and moveable relative to theclamping mechanism to force the closure inwardly of the drum, whereinthe clamping mechanism is adapted to fit about a periphery of theopening, and the assembly is arranged so that the element is eccentricwith respect to the opening.

Preferably the clamping mechanism includes two hinged components whichare adapted to clamp underneath a peripheral lip of the opening.

Preferably the clamping mechanism includes a latch to releasably securefree ends of the components, when clamped in an operative position,about the opening.

Preferably the assembly includes slidable engagement with one of thecomponents whereby to allow for free hinged movement of the componentsbetween an open condition and an operative condition.

Preferably the clamping mechanism includes at least one arcuate taperedjaw portion, adapted to fit under the peripheral lip of the opening.

Preferably the jaw portion is removable from the clamping mechanism soas to enable replacement thereof.

In another aspect there is provided a method for removing a closure froman opening in a drum, including fitting a clamping mechanism to thedrum, exerting a compression force between the mechanism and theclosure, eccentrically of the opening, so as to deform the closureinwardly of the drum.

Preferably, fitting the clamping mechanism to the drum includes clampinghinged components of the mechanism about a peripheral lip of theopening.

In another aspect, there is provided a method for removing a closurefrom an opening in a drum, utilising the above described apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is more fully described, by way of non-limiting exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus being fitted for use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the apparatus in use;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3—3, shown in FIG.2; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of a modified apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The apparatus 1 includes a clamping mechanism 2 and a load transferassembly 3. The clamping mechanism 2 includes two semi-circularcomponents 4, 5 which are hinged together and include a latch 6 forreleasably connecting the free ends 7, 8 of the components. Eachcomponent 4, 5 includes an arcuate, inwardly tapered, jaw portion 9, 10,which may be removable to facilitate replacement thereof.

The load transfer assembly 3 includes a beam 11 coupled to the clampingassembly 2 by bolts 12, 13. One of the bolts 12 is received in alongitudinal slot 14 of the beam 11 to allow for sliding movementtherebetween, resulting from hinged movement of the components of theclamping mechanism from an open condition shown in FIG. 1 to anoperative condition, shown in FIG. 2. The assembly 3 includes arotatable shaft 15 threadably connected with the beam 11. The shaft hasa turn handle 16 at one end 17 and element 18 at the other end thereof.

The apparatus 1 is positioned about a closure 20, which seals an openingin a drum lid 19, in the manner shown in FIG. 1 The components 4, 5 ofthe clamping mechanism are then closed and the latch 6 engaged, asrepresented in FIG. 2, to secure the clamping mechanism about aperipheral lip 21 of the opening 22, as represented in FIG. 3. Thehandle 16 is then turned so as to rotate the shaft 15 and drive theelement 18 into engagement with the closure 20. Further rotation of thehandle exerts a compression force between the clamping mechanism and theclosure, via the load transfer assembly 3, so as to deform the closure20 inwardly as represented by phantom lines 23.

The element 18 is positioned eccentrically with respect to the opening22 and closure 20. This leads to the beneficial result of preferential“deformation” of one side 24 of the closure 20, so that the closure isstill loosely swaged to the lid 19 over at least a portion 25 thereof toallow the closure 20 to be subsequently lifted clear of the opening,instead of it being forced in its entirety into the interior of thedrum.

A modified apparatus 30 is shown in FIG. 4. The apparatus 30 functionsin a similar manner to apparatus 1. The main difference betweenapparatus 30 and apparatus 1 is that the turn handle 16 and associatedshaft have been replaced with a suitable pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder31 with a piston arrangement 32, to achieve the same results as detailedabove.

As can be appreciated, the “permanent seal” conventionally associatedwith a centre-fill opening can now be readily and quickly removed,allowing for reuse of the centre-fill opening for a re-fillingprocedure. Accordingly, the invention provides for significant costsavings in relation to refilling operations of centre fill drums.

Finally, it is to be understood that the inventive concept in any of itsaspects can be incorporated in many different constructions so that thegenerality of the preceding description is not to be superseded by theparticularity of the attached drawings. Various alterations,modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the variousconstructions and arrangements of parts without departing from thespirit or ambit of the invention.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless thecontext requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as“comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusionof a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not theexclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for removing a closure from anopening in a drum, comprising: a clamping mechanism for securing theapparatus to the drum; and a load transfer assembly coupled to theclamping mechanism and including a drive element engagable with theclosure and movable relative to the clamping mechanism to force theclosure inwardly of the drum, wherein the clamping mechanism is adaptedto fit about the periphery of the opening, and the assembly is arrangedso that the drive element is eccentric with respect to the opening. 2.An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping mechanismincludes two hinged components which are adapted to clamp underneath aperipheral lip of the opening.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2,wherein the clamping mechanism includes a latch to releasably securefree ends of the components, when clamped in an operative position,about the opening.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein theassembly includes slidable engagement with one of the components toallow for free hinged movement of the components between an opencondition and an operative condition.
 5. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the assembly includes slidable engagement with one ofthe components whereby to allow for free hinged movement of thecomponents between an open condition and an operative condition.
 6. Anapparatus as claimed claim 2, wherein the clamping mechanism includes atleast one arcuate tapered jaw portion, adapted to fit under theperipheral lip of the opening.
 7. A method for removing a closure froman opening in a drum, comprising the steps of; fitting a clampingmechanism to the drum; exerting a compressive force between themechanism and the closure, eccentrically of the opening, so as to deformthe closure inwardly of the drum; and lifting the closure clear of theopening thereby removing the closure from the opening in the drum.
 8. Amethod as claimed in claim 7, wherein fitting the clamping mechanism tothe drum includes clamping hinged components of the mechanism about aperipheral lip of the opening.